Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Assembly Business

The Speaker advised the Assembly that as the Business Committee was not meeting that afternoon there would be no lunchtime suspension and that business would continue until 2.00 pm, when it would be interrupted for Question Time.

3. Public Petition

3.1 Provision of Free Period Products in all Schools

Mr Chris Lyttle was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition relating to the Provision of Free Period Products in all Schools.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Statement: North/South Ministerial Council Tourism Sectoral Meeting

The Minister for the Economy, Mrs Diane Dodds, made a statement regarding the recent North/South Ministerial Council Tourism Sectoral Meeting, following which she replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4.2 Statement: North/South Ministerial Trade and Business Development Sectoral Meeting

The Minister for the Economy, Mrs Diane Dodds, made a statement regarding the recent North/South Ministerial Council Trade and Business Development Sectoral Meeting, following which she replied to questions.

The sitting was suspended at 11.36am.

The sitting resumed at 11.45am.

4.3 Statement: Summer 2021 Examinations Contingency Arrangements

The Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir, made a statement regarding the Summer 2021 Examinations Contingency Arrangements, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

4.4 Statement: Terms of Reference for the Independent Review of Education

The Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir, made a statement regarding the Terms of Reference for the Independent Review of Education, following which he replied to questions.

The Speaker took the Chair.

4.5 Further Consideration Stage: The Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22)

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Executive Committee (Functions) Bill.

Seventeen amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 1.51pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Health

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

5.2 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

6.1 Further Consideration Stage: The Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22) (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The sitting was suspended at 6.36pm.

The sitting resumed at 6.50pm.

Clauses

After debate, Amendment 1 inserting new clause 'Information-sharing with schools etc' was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 2 to Clause 26 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 4, as an amendment to Amendment 3, was negatived on division (Division 1).

After debate, Amendment 5, as an amendment to Amendment 3, was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 6, as an amendment to Amendment 3, was negatived on division (Division 2).

After debate, Amendment 3, as amended, to Clause 27, was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 7 inserting new clause 'Proposals as to the availability of civil legal' was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 8 to Clause 28 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 9 to Clause 29 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 10 to Clause 30 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 11 to Clause 31 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 12 to Clause 32 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 13 to Clause 38 was negatived on division (Division 3).

After debate, Amendment 14 to Clause 38 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 15 to Clause 38 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 16 to Clause 39 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 17 to the Long Title was made without division.

NIA Bill 03/17-22 stood referred to the Speaker in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

7. Committee Business

Proposed: Committee for the Executive Office Report on the evidence received from local councils on the impact of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union

That this Assembly notes the evidence from local councils to the Committee for the Executive Office in its Report on the evidence received from local councils on the impact of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (NIA 58/17-22); and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to urge the UK Government to provide clarity on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland to allow local councils to prepare for the post-transition period.

Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office

Debate ensued

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 10.42pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
15 December 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

15 December 2020

Division 1

Further Consideration Stage: Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22) – Amendment 4

Proposed:

As an Amendment to Amendment 3

Clause 27(1), in inserted text (1A), after 'funding of' insert 'advice and assistance or'

Miss Rachel Woods

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 25
Noes: 56

AYES

Ms Bailey, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Carroll, Mr Clarke, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Carroll, Miss Woods.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Beggs, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Butler, Mr Catney, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Mr Swann.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Armstrong, Ms Bradshaw.

The Amendment was negatived.

The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:

Mr Lyttle voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn and Mr Muir.

Mr K Buchanan voted for Ms P Bradley, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Newton, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford and Mr Storey.

Mr Butler voted for Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin.

Mr O'Toole voted for Ms S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin and Mr McNulty.

Northern Ireland Assembly

15 December 2020 Division 2

Further Consideration Stage: Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22) – Amendment 6

Proposed:

As an Amendment to Amendment 3

Clause 27(1), in inserted text (1A), leave out (a) and (b) and insert-

'the Director is satisfied that—

(a) the client is or appears to be the victim of abusive behaviour perpetrated or apparently perpetrated by another party to the proceedings, and

(b) the other party to the proceedings is someone to whom the client is personally connected.",'

Miss Rachel Woods

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 25
Noes: 56

AYES

Ms Bailey, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Carroll, Mr Clarke, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Carroll, Miss Woods.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Beggs, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Butler, Mr Catney, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Mr Swann.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Armstrong, Ms Bradshaw.

The Amendment was negatived.

The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:

Mr Lyttle voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn and Mr Muir.

Mr K Buchanan voted for Ms P Bradley, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Newton, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford and Mr Storey.

Mr Butler voted for Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin.

Mr O'Toole voted for Ms S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin and Mr McNulty.

Northern Ireland Assembly

15 December 2020 Division 3

Further Consideration Stage: Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22) – Amendment 13

Proposed:

Clause 38, Page 32, Line 27

At end insert -

'(1ZA) Section 27 comes into operation at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent.'

Chair, Committee for Justice

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 25
Noes: 44

AYES

Ms Bailey, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Carroll, Mr Clarke, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Frew, Mr Givan.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Beggs, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr Muir, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Mr Swann.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Armstrong, Ms Bradshaw.

The following Members voted in both Lobbies and are therefore not counted in the result:

Ms S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mr O'Toole.

The Amendment was negatived.

The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:

Mr Lyttle voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn and Mr Muir.

Mr K Buchanan voted for Ms P Bradley, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Newton, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford and Mr Storey.

Mr Butler voted for Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin.

Mr O'Toole voted for Ms S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin and Mr McNulty.

Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill Annotated Marshalled List of Amendments Further Consideration Stage

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 15 December 2020

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.

Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.

Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.

Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.

Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.

Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.

Royal Assent.

Proceedings as 15 December 2020

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills    

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills           

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Tuesday 15 December 2020:

**proxy in place for votes on Further Consideration Stage: The Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill